I Like Trains - Terra Nova (single) - Fierce Panda Records
With an on-stage gimmick of dressing in British Rail uniforms, it’s clear that I Like Trains are not the average run of the mill act and new single “Terra Nova” finds the band charting new territories in being a bit different.
Lyrically, the song focuses on Captain Scotts doomed expedition of the Antarctic, and brings to mind the output of British Sea Power, another band who trade on the absurd and far reaching edges of what is considered to be mainstream guitar music.
The saving grace is the music, a beautifully constructed mesh of guitars and grandeur that wouldn’t be out of place in a Sigur Ros show. If the quiet and singular tone vocals fail to live up to the musical accompaniment it is only because the quality is so high.
With B-Side “Fram” telling the story of Scott’s Norwegian rivals, there is a sense of history and knowledge on this release which the instruments fairly live up to. When considering how long it would take for the band to achieve commercial acceptance to match their critical praise, it may be wise to paraphrase Captain Scott and remark “I Like Trains are going outside for a while, and they may be some time.”
6/10
Released on 29/05/06 by Fierce Panda Records.
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